Analyzing the Milwaukee Bucks 2017 NBA Draft Picks

Written by Jacob Evans on 28 June 2017

The Milwaukee Bucks had the 17th and 48th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. They drafted Sindarious Thornwell at 48 and traded him to the Clippers, instead, acquiring 46th overall pick Sterling Brown via trade. Let's take a look at Milwaukee's newest rookies.

Pick #17, Round 1: D.J. Wilson - PF -Michigan

Wilson has tremendous length, standing 6'10 with a 7'3 wingspan, meaning he'll fit right in with Milwaukee's equally long frontcourt. Wilson also brings versatility to the table, able to both handle the ball on the perimeter and shoot from the outside. He's an underrated athlete and could play meaningful minutes at the 5 as his body fills out and he gains the strength necessary for the position. Wilson can finish at the rim, and can even create his own shot on drives. His playmaking ability, while not elite, should continue to improve as it did last season, where he posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. The Michigan big man will need to get more physical at the next level- he often shied away from contact down low and posted a very low average of just over five rebounds per game.

Pick #46, Round 2 - Sterling Brown- SG - SMU

Brown isn't the flashiest player from this draft class, but he has the talent necessary to carve out a role for himself in the NBA. Brown, like Wilson, fits right in with Milwaukee's versatile lineups, standing 6'6 with a 6'9 wingspan. Brown has the physical tools and mentality to become an elite defender, able to guard positions 1-3 on the court. Due to his developed frame (225 lbs.), Brown should also excel at defending small-ball power forwards. On the offensive end, while shot creating remains a major liability for Brown, he has great touch from the outside, and should immediately make an impact as a young 3 and D wing for an improving Bucks' team.